sport 1 of 2

noun

Definition of sportnext
1
as in recreation
activity engaged in to amuse oneself I don't care terribly whether I actually catch any fish, as I'm just doing this for sport

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2
as in game
an attitude or manner not to be taken seriously teasing that began in sport ended with some hateful words being exchanged

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ridicule
the making of unkind jokes as a way of showing one's scorn for someone or something taught their children that it was not polite to make sport of others

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4
as in joke
a person or thing that is made fun of had become the long-suffering sport of the village

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sport

2 of 2

verb

ˈspȯrt How to pronounce sport (audio)
1
as in to play
to engage in activity for amusement from sailing to snorkeling, each day we sported at a different activity offered by the beach resort

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2
as in to dance
to play and run about happily the millionaire's grandchildren sporting on the estate's spacious grounds

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3
as in to display
to present so as to invite notice or attention sported his flashy new car by driving it all over town

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sport differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sport are fun, game, jest, and play. While all these words mean "action or speech that provides amusement or arouses laughter," sport applies especially to the arousing of laughter against someone.

teasing begun in sport led to anger

When is fun a more appropriate choice than sport?

The synonyms fun and sport are sometimes interchangeable, but fun usually implies laughter or gaiety but may imply merely a lack of serious or ulterior purpose.

played cards just for fun

How are the words game and sport related?

Game is close to sport, and often stresses mischievous or malicious fun.

made game of their poor relations

Where would jest be a reasonable alternative to sport?

The meanings of jest and sport largely overlap; however, jest implies lack of earnestness and may suggest a hoaxing or teasing.

hurt by remarks said only in jest

When can play be used instead of sport?

In some situations, the words play and sport are roughly equivalent. However, play stresses the opposition to earnest without implying any malice or mischief.

pretended to strangle his brother in play

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sport
Noun
No North American sports franchise can claim such an accomplishment since the Shaq- and Kobe Bryant-led Lakers from 2000 to 2002. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026 In Oregon, a 16-year-old cannot legally purchase a shotgun but may legally possess one if it was transferred or provided by a parent and may lawfully temporarily possess it for hunting, target practice or shooting sports. — Dalia Faheid, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
Related Stories Arriving to Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday morning, Brand sported a black suit, pinstriped shirt, loose white tie and sunglasses. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 14 Oct. 2026 The cost of toys, new and used cars, sporting goods and shoes all rose at a rapid clip last month, the government said. — Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sport
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sport
  1. recreation
  2. game
  3. ridicule
  4. joke
  5. play
  6. dance
  7. display
  8. relaxation
Noun
  • Kannapolis also has a parks and recreation bond referendum for $40 million plus interest.
    — Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The city also saw major residential growth, including a 412-home subdivision and plans for 1,000 apartments, along with new hotel and recreation developments.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of recreation
Noun
  • YouTube Europe boss Pedro Pina, a fixture at these events, reminded producers that the platform won’t take work away from them by entering the production game.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The Peacock streaming platform shares its weekly exclusive games on YouTube.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of game
Noun
  • The lawsuit drew some ridicule from top executives, including at other companies, given the decline of cable TV and the rise of streaming, but the theatrical concerns were real.
    — Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Another example is ridicule and mockery of stingy or braggadocious individuals, which keeps greed and bravado in check.
    — Christopher von Rueden, The Conversation, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of ridicule
Noun
  • Its frothy, pastel hues and single moment of contrived levity (when one dance claims a trumpet solo for a joke about jamming her toe) is one of those quintessential examples of Balanchine’s repertoire showing its age.
    — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • And the Longhorns’ quarterback, Arch Manning, was the butt of the joke.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of joke
Verb
  • All the more reason for leaders to play the generosity sweepstakes in ways that are advantageous to them.
    — Diane Brady, Fortune, 20 Oct. 2026
  • The case has led to calls for tougher oversight of churches and other religious organizations in a country where religious faith plays a prominent role in public life.
    — Jefferson Kahinju Reuters, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of play
Verb
  • But the gamble paid off, and I was treated to a spellbinding display of auroras dancing across the Arctic sky.
    — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The film features drunken sing-alongs and dancing with abandon in the family kitchen.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of dance
Verb
  • Once everything is organized, PocketWise displays upcoming payments on a subscription calendar and sends renewal reminders before charges are due.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Blocked from public view for nine years, the mural was finally displayed in 1957.
    — David Hajdu, Vanity Fair, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of display
Noun
  • This is all without compromising the skin barrier, and offering a massaging action that enhances relaxation and turns a functional step into a spa-like treatment as a small wellness ritual.
    — Laura Sandroni, Vogue, 16 Oct. 2026
  • During the pandemic, a relaxation of some rules governing online prescribing in the US gave companies an additional boost.
    — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of relaxation

Phrases Containing sport

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sporadically
sport
sported
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Cite this Entry

“Sport.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sport. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on sport

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sport

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